“Refugees are welcome”… in Liverpool, residents demonstrate to say no to racism

Following the Southport knife attack just over a week ago, racist and violent protests have erupted across the UK. In response, residents have mobilised, particularly in Liverpool, to denounce fascism.

Thousands of people gathered in cities across the UK on Wednesday evening, August 7, to say: “no to fascism” and hatred towards migrants. These demonstrations follow the riots that have been plaguing the country since the death of three young girls in a knife attack on July 29 in Southport. Killed by a man, presented on social networks and the far right, as an asylum seeker and a Muslim. These facts have since been denied by the authorities.

Some 6,000 police officers specialising in “riot control” have been deployed across the country by Keir Starmer’s Labour government, fearing further violence. The Prime Minister is experiencing his first political crisis, just a month after the general election. The government is keen to show its authority. More than 500 prison places have been freed up to deal with the immediate appearances of rioters arrested in recent days. More than 100 have already been charged.

The demonstrations on Wednesday 7 August took place peacefully, particularly in Liverpool, where more than 1,000 people were present to defend a refugee centre targeted by the far right.

“Refugees are welcome”this is one of the slogans chanted by the demonstrators, for several hours, in front of this reception center for refugees barricaded as a precaution. Wooden boards were nailed to the windows and doors. The demonstrators were under heavy police surveillance: two helicopters, drones, mounted guards and a dozen law enforcement trucks.

The event took place peacefully and was a source of pride for Liverpool resident Elizabeth: “It’s important that a lot of people are there, in the street, to show that we are angry.”

“We want to say that fascism is not welcome in our city.”

Elizabeth

a resident of Liverpool

After a week of attacks on the Muslim community, it is a duty for Meghan to be present. “We have colleagues, relatives who are afraid to leave their homes, she confides. They don’t dare to go out on the street. I think as a white person it’s a privilege to condemn that.”

Abderrahmane came with several friends. “People no longer feel safe in their own community, in their own neighborhood, he assures. And we want to show that we can’t accept this any longer.”

In the crowd, there were also religious leaders, who have been very active in recent days in trying to calm the neighbourhood. Adam Kelwick, the imam of Liverpool, was alongside Father Peter Morgan, head of the parish of St Anne, next to the refugee centre. “We are happy to see people responding by being together, regardless of their religion, their age. This is a victory and we are stronger, united against them”says Peter Morgan.

Beyond this unity, there is also anger towards the rioters, social networks. Many protesters wore masks, covering their faces so as not to be the target, according to them, of harassment on the internet. This anger is also directed towards the extreme right. Its leader, Nigel Farage, crystallizes the criticism. For many, he is responsible for stirring up hatred, as Teddy, a resident of Liverpool, asserts: “He’s an agitator. He causes more problems than he answers. That’s my point of view.”The far right is accused of political recovery by the population and of not respecting the mourning of the three families affected by the Southport tragedy.